Chain connecter



Nov. 8, 1927.

J. D. RICHIE CHAIN CONNECTER Filed NOV. 17. 1926 IIL x Patented Nov. 8, 19.237,

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH D. RICHE, GF CASPER, WYOMING.

CHAIN CONNECTER.

Application filed November 17, 192. Serial No. 148,890.

The invention provides an article designed for general use in connecting chains and taking up slack therein, being particularly adapted for use in connection with tire chains, log chainsy and binders of analogous nature requiring to be connected and frequently to be drawn together to take up slack preliminary to the coupling.

The invention supplies an article of the le character aforesaid comprising essentially three parts, a coupler for connecting the chain or like part, a latch constituting a lock and a tightener for drawing the ends of the chain together when taking up slack therein, and anoperating lever forming connecting'means between the kcoupler and the latch and providing means `for moving the latch when tightening the chain or like part to be connected or tightened.

While the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be uiiderstood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the design may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction, may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in whicli,-

Figure 1 is a sideview of a connecter for chains and the like, embodying the iiivention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2---2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 1,

Figure i is an elevational view showing the manner of operation, and

Figure 5 is a detail view of a modification.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated iii the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The connecter comprises a coupler 1, a latch 2, and an operating lever 3. These parts preferably consist of flat strips or "0 bars, and may be struck from sheet metal or strap iron of proper gage. The coupler 1 is provided at one end with an opening t to receive a link 5 of a chain or like part to r be connected. An inclined notch 6 is formed in an edge portion of the coupler 1 adjacent the opposite end and is adapted to receive a link 7 of the chain or part to be coupled. The latch 2 is provided at one end with an opening 8 and at its opposite end with an inclined notch 9, which is adapted to register with the inclined notch 6of the coupler 1 when the parts occupy an operative position, substantially as indicated in Figures 1 and'2. The notches G and 9 are oppositely inclined and are reversely disposed so that their open ends are closed when the parts l and 2 are adjusted to lie one against the other, as indicated most vclearly in Figure 1. The notches 6 and 9 are of a depth to provide an opening to accommodate the link 7 when the parts 1 and 2 are moved to an overlapping position. The coupler 1 is of a less length than the latch 2 and an end portion of the latter is thickened, as indicated at 10, so that the outer sides of the thickened portion and the coupler are about flush when the parts 1 and 2 are adjusted to lie one against the other.

rTheI operating lever 3 is pivoted at one Vend to an end portion `of the coupler 1, as

indicated atll, and is pivoted intermediate its ends to the latch 2, as indicated at 12, and has an opening 13 formed therein in position to register with the opening 8 of the latch 2 when the parts are in overlying position. 'An edge portion of the lever 3 intermediate the pivot connections 11 and 12 is cut away, as indicated at 14:, to clear that portion of the link 5 engaging the opening 4i of the coupler 1. An edge portion of the latch 2 adjacent the pivot fastening 12 is cut away,as indicated at 15 for a like purpose.V When the several parts are adjusted into overlying position, as indicated in Figure 1, the cut away portions 14 and 15 register and clear the end portion of the link 5 passing through the opening 4c of the part- 1. A

ln this position of the parts the openings 8 and 13 are in registering position and receive a .Cotter pin 16, as indicated most clearly in Figure 2, thereby securing the parts in operativo position.

l/Vhen the parts of the connecter are in operative position, they appear substantially as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, that is, they overlie or are disposed one beside the other, and are retained in place by means of the cotter pin 16, or other suitable fastening passing through the registering openings 3 and 13. i/Vhen the fastening 16 is removed the lever 3 may be operated to move the latch 2, it being understood. that the coupler 1, is

a positionsubstanftially as indicated in Fig ure' l, Withtheseveral parts 1, 2 and 3 ali-nement and lyingf one beside the other,

Y., rand When-the cott'er pin 16, or like fastening,

is placed imposition, the parts lare inade'se cure. The `end portion of the latclh 2 may be thickened', as indicated at 10, by applying a plat-e thereto, or by' foldingan lendl portion y. oi the'strip 'from which the latch 2 is formed. t When the part 10 is separate it may be secured t the body of the latch` byA inens of the pivot; Jfastening 12 `and a rivet 17.

As shown in Figure' 5 the folded end portion 10@L of the strip is disposed upon the outer side oi' the lat-chi.' :The rivetreceiving opening 12a and the link receiving opening VS lextendv through the strip and the folded end portion thereof. This simplifies, cheapens and renders the' construction more durable and does away With the rivet 17.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A connecter of the character specified,

comprising a oouplenvhaving a notch yat one end, a latch having a reverse notch 'at one end, and provided with an opening at its opposite end, an operating lever pivoted at one end to the coupler opposite the notched .end thereof, and pivoted to the latch adjacent the end having the opening, and provided' With. an opening in position to register With the opening of the latch When the parte occupy .an` overlying position, and a fastening adapted to pass tlirouglr the istering openings 'of the latch and operating lever;4 y y Y` 2. A `connecter comprising a coupler hav'- ing;- an opening `at one end, and `a notch at the 'opposite end, a latch having an end portion thickened and orinedfwith an opening, and' having a notch in its opp site end reveisely disposed to the notcliiirtlie coupler, an operating lever pivoted at olie 'end to the 'end portion lof thefcoupler having the opening, and pivoted intermediate its ends tothe thickenedV end oltlie latch', and having an open-ing to register With the opening in the thickened `endVoi the latch when" the parts Voccupy a sidelby-side position, 4opposite edgef portions ofv the latch and lever being cut avvay to register` ivitll the openings of the coupler, and fastening adapted to pass through the registering openings'o the latch and lever to securel the parts inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I 'aliix inyr signature.

JOSEPH? D; RI'GI-IIE. [n s] 

